Film unwinding and splicing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for unwinding and splicing rolls of material (web or film) being supplied to various processing operations such as printing, bag forming or packaging. The machine has means for supporting at least two rolls of the material, the leading end margin of the material being provided with splicing adhesive. The material from the roll to be unwound is entrained over a take-off roller and from there passes to a processing operation. A presser roller is disposed adjacent to the take-off roller and is provided with means for moving the same from a normal retracted position in spaced proximity to the take-off roller, to a position in which its peripheral surface is pressed against the material entrained over the take-off roller. The lead portion of the material from the other roll is caused to assume a depending position with its lower edge in close proximity to the gap between the take-off and presser rollers. Accurate sensing means is provided for sensing when the material is completely unwound from the one roll. Upon operation of the sensing means the presser roller is urged against the take-off roller, and the depending lead portion of the other roll is caused to be moved between and be engaged by the presser and take-off rollers, thus effecting a splice. Preferably the sensing means initiates both the movement of the presser roller to engage and press against the take-off roller and movement of the depending lead portion from the other roll to cause its lower margin to pass between the take-off and presser rollers. The sensing means consists of two members, one of which engages the periphery of the roll being unwound, and the other of which is carried by the first member and is continuously urged against that portion of the material extending from the roll being unwound to the take-off roller.

United States Patent Gaubert 1 Sept. 23, 1975 FILM UNWINDING ANDSPLICING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Rene J. Gaubert, 4219 Oakmore Rd.,Oakland, Calif. 94602 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 496,089

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 299,370, Oct. 20,1972, Pat. No. 3,863,855.

Primary Examiner--John W. Huckert Assistant ExaminerJohn M. JillionsAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Flehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton & Herbert [57]ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for unwinding and splicing rolls ofmaterial (web or film) being supplied to various processing operationssuch as printing, bag forming or packaging. The machine has means forsupporting at least two rolls of the material, the leading end margin ofthe material being provided with splicing adhesive. The material fromthe roll to be unwound is entrained over a take-off roller and fromthere passes to a processing operation. A presser roller is disposedadjacent to the take-off roller and is provided with means for movingthe same from a normal retracted position in spaced proximity to thetake-off roller, to a position in which its peripheral surface ispressed against the material entrained over the take-off roller. Thelead portion of the material from the other roll is caused to assume adepending position with its lower edge in close proximity to the gapbetween the takeoff and presser rollers. Accurate sensing means isprovided for sensing when the material is completely unwound from theone roll. Upon operation of the sensing means the presser roller isurged against the takeoff roller, and the depending lead portion of theother roll is caused to be moved between and be engaged by the presserand take-off rollers, thus effecting a splice. Preferably the sensingmeans initiates both the movement of the presser roller to engage andpress against the take-off roller and movement of the depending leadportion from the other roll to cause its lower margin to pass betweenthe take-off and presser rollers. The sensing means consists of twomembers, one of which engages the periphery of the roll being unwound,and the other of which is carried by the first member and iscontinuously urged against that portion of the material extending fromthe roll being unwound to the take-off roller.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of53,907,235

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of 5 3,907,235

-lilii iiil till US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,907,235

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet4 of5 3,907,235

US Patent FIG.9

Sept. 23,1975

Sheet 5 of 5 FILM UNWINDING AND SPLICING APPARATUS This application is adivision of my copending application Ser. No. 299,370, filed Oct. 20,1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,855.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toapparatus and,

methods for carrying out material unwinding and splicing operations. Italso relates to sensing apparatus for sensing the end of a web or filmof material being unwound from a roll.

Machines are presently in use for receiving rolls of material in theform of a web or film and for supplying this material to variousprocessing operations, such as printing, bag forming or packaging. Tofacilitate a continuous supply of this film to such operations, theapparatus is generally provided with means for supporting two or morerolls of the material, with one roll being actively unwound and theother roll being available to supply material when the first roll isspent or completely unwound. The splicing of the end of the materialleaving the spent roll to the leading edge of material from a freshsupply roll is a difficult operation requiring considerable skill.Assuming that the material leaving a roll passes over a take-off idlerroller as it passes to the printing or other material processingmachine, it is common practice to provide a presser roller adjacent thetake-off roller together with means whereby the presser roller can bemoved against the material as it passes over the take-off roller. Whilethe presser roller is urged against the take-off roller and the web ofmaterial passing over the take-off roller, the leading edge of a freshroll of material, provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive, can bemanually fed between the presser roller and the take-off roller, thuscausing it to be pressed against the trailing end portion of thematerial from the spent roll. Thus the leading edge of the fresh roll ofmaterial is caused to be spliced to the trailing end portion of thematerial from the spent roll. To make a proper splice the operator mustcorrelate the operations just described with unwinding of material fromthe one roll. Even with a skillfull operator it is necessary to reducethe speed of movement of the material to enable this type of splicing totake place. This is because when the material is unwinding at operatingspeeds it leaves the core too rapidly to enable an observing operator tomanually initiate a proper splice. In practice, the method results inmuch improper splicing and application of splices in such a manner as towaste material. Improper splicing may result in jamming of the machineto which the material is being supplied, thus causing frequentshutdowns.

It will be evident that the difficulties referred to above seriouslyinterfere with operation of the machines to which such materials arebeing supplied, and these difficulties are accentuated as the speed ofmovement of the material is increased. Slowing down of the speed ofmovement of the material to carry out the splicing, occasional shutdownscaused by improper splicing, and wastage of material all serve toseriously interfere with efficient production.

Accurate indication of when material leaves a core on which it is woundis difficult for various reasons. The rolls of material vary somewhatfrom cylindrical form, and such variations may change as the material isunwound. In addition, as the core upon which the material is wrappedisapproached, the web leaving the roll tends to flutter or vibrate.Another difficulty is that as the end of the material wrapped around thecore is approached, final removal of the material from the core may beaccompanied by a variable amount of slippage, depending upon whether ornot the material is attached to the core by adhesive.

In view of the foregoing, it is evident that there is a need for anapparatus and method capable of carrying out unwinding and splicingoperations in a more efficient manner and without the necessity for ahigh degree of operator skill. More specifically, there is a need for anunwinding and splicing apparatus and method which is capable ofoperating automatically without manual supervision. Aside from suchunwinding and splicing operations, there is a need for a sensing meanswhich will accurately sense the precise time when material leaves a rollof the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS In general, it is an object of theinvention to provide an improved apparatus and method for unwinding andsplicing rolls of material in web or film forms which will enable suchoperations to be carried out more effectively and with less skill on thepart of the operator.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method of the abovecharacter which will make possible splicing while the material is beingsupplied to a processing machine at a relatively high rate of movement.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method of the abovecharacter which will make possible automated splicing operations withoutreducing the speed with which the material is being supplied.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus and method forsensing when material in roll form is unwound to the extent that thelast convolution leaves the core upon which the material is wrapped.

Another object is to provide a splicing apparatus and method which isrelatively simple in its construction and operation.

In general, the present invention is incorporated in a machine arrangedto support two or more rolls of material with a take-off roller overwhich the material is trained as it passes to further processingoperations. As is customary, the leading end margin of the material isprovided with splicing adhesive. As previously explained, such machinesare provided with a rotatable presser roller disposed adjacent andparallel to the takeoff roller, together with means for moving thepresser roller from a normal retracted position in spaced proximity tothe take-off roller to a position in which its peripheral surface ispressed against the material entrained over the take-off roller, thegeneral arrangement being such that while the material from one roll ismoving over the take-off roller to processing operations, the leadingportion of the other roll may assume a depending position with its loweredge in close proximity to the gap between the take-off and pr'es serrollers. Means is provided which is responsive to sensing completion ofthe unwinding of material from the one rollto effect movement of thepresser roller against the take-off roller and engagement of the endmargin of the depending portion between the rollers, whereby said marginis pressed against and caused to adhere to the trailing portion of theunwound material, thereby forming a splice. Preferably, means isprovided responsive to sensing completion of the unwinding of materialfrom the one roll to effect movement of the depending portion of thematerial toward the take-off and presser rollers, whereby it is engagedby the rollers and pressed against the material of the roll to make asplice. The sensing means preferably consists of a member which is urgedinto engagement with the exterior periphery of the roll together with asecond sensing member carried by the first and urged against thematerial leaving the roll and intermediate the roll and the take-offroller. Movement of the sensing member when the end of the material isreached serves to operate suitable means, such as electrical switchesthereby initiating the operations required for splicing.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment has been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view insection showing a machine incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail illustrating a gear rack and overriding clutchincorporated in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating further details of the overridingclutch in section.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. I looking towardthe left-hand side thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the preferred sensing device.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the sensing device shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 8A are schematic side elevational views which facilitatean understanding of the mode of operation and steps of the method.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram indicating electrical connections for thevarious electrical components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1 taken together with FIG. 4 consists of a frame 10 havinglaterally spaced upright support members 11. These upright members serveto journal 21 horizontally extending shaft 12 which serves to carrymeans for supporting two or more rolls of material. Thus, radiallyextending arms 13 are mounted upon the shaft 12, and their ends areadapted to removably receive the ends of the mandrels 14. These mandrelscarry the rolls 16a and 16b of material to be unwound. The material mayfor example be a polyethylene or cellophane film or a film of otherplastic material. Also it may be a web of material like paper or foil.The length of the rolls depends upon the width of the material and mayvary in accordance with requirements. Likewise, the diameter of therolls may vary depending upon the length of the material making up theroll, and its thickness. Generally. it is desirable to wind the materialof the roll upon a core 18, which may be a tube of suitable wallthickness made of material like fiberboard. The arms 13 together withthe rolls 16a and 161) may be turned about the axis of the shaft 12 tofacilitate loading rolls upon the arms and proper positioning of therolls while material is being unwound. The roll from which the materialis being unwound is the upper roll 16a, and the second roll 16b isavailable to supply material when the roll 16a is depleted or spent.Suitable means (not shown) can be employed for releasably retaining thearms 13 in a desired position whereby they can be released and turnedmanually for raising the roll 16b to the position previously occupied byroll 160.

In FIG. 1 the film 21a is shown extending tangentially from the roll 16ato a take-off roller 22. This roller is rotatably mounted on the frameof the machine, and from this roller the film extends to other apparatusfor carrying out processing operations, such as printing, bag forming orpackaging. Tension is applied by virtue of friction which prevents freerotation of the rolls, and by the action of feed rollers used inconnection with the processing operations. Extending parallel andadjacent the roller 22 there is a presser roller 23, the ends of whichare carried by members 24. Members 24 in turn are carried by the movableoperating rods of the double acting pneumatic operators 26 which may beof the cylinder-piston type.

Normally the presser roller 23 is retracted from engagement with theroller 22 so that they are separated by a small gap. However, when theoperators 26 are energized, the roller 23 is urged into contact with andagainst the periphery of roller 22 and adjacent the material 21entrained over the same.

The film 21b wrapped upon the roll 16b is shown having a portiondepending toward the rollers 22 and 23. The lower end margin 216 isshown terminating immediately above the region of the gap 27 between therollers. This positioning of the material from roll 16b is carried outmanually immediately after loading this roll upon the arms 13, and itplaces the film in readiness for splicing to the trailing end portion ofthe material leaving roll 16a. The end margin 210 of each roll ofmaterial is provided with a tape having a suitable adhesive tofacilitate splicing, as for example, an adhesive of the pressuresensitive type.

Apparatus as described above is available from a number ofmanufacturers, and is being used for supplying various types of materialto machines which carr out processing operations such as printing, bagmaking or packaging. To carry out a material splicing operation,considerable manual skill is required. When the roll 16a is nearlydepleted or spent, the operator endeavors to determine when the end ofthe material is reached, and as this end approaches the rollers 22 and23, roller 23 is urged against roller 22 and the operator manually feedsthe material 2112 downwardly toward the rollers whereby the end margin21c passes between the rollers and is pressed into adhering engagementwith the material of the previous roll. Even with a skillful operator itis necessary for the material 210 to be moving at a relatively slowspeed during the time the splice is being made. Thus. if it is desiredto move the material at rates possible in such processing operations asprinting and the like (e.g., 400 to 650 ft. per minute), the rate ofmovement of the material must be drastically reduced during splicing.Even with a skillful operator and a drastic slowdown of the rate ofmovement during splicing. defective splices are common. and as a resultit may be necessary to shut down the entire operation to correct thedifficulty. Also, the splice may be applied in such a manner as to wastematerial.

The present invention makes use ofa highly sensitive and accuratesensing device 31. This consists of a member 32 in the form of an armhaving its one end pivotally carried by the shaft 12, and its free endserving to mount a pin or shaft 33 which journals the roller 34.

The member 32 is pivoted on the shaft 12 in such a manner that it may beadjusted axially. Thus, it is shown journalled upon bushing 36 which inturn is splined to the shaft 12.

Member 32 serves to carry a second member 37 in the form of an arm whichis secured to the shaft 38 that is journalled on the member 32. The freeend of member 38 carries a pin 39. Cam members 41 and 42 are alsoadjustably attached to the shaft 38, and these members serve to actuatethe contacts of the electrical switches 43 and 44. The free end ofmember 32 is urged toward the roll 16a by one or more adjustablecounterweights 45. The free end of member 38 is urged in the samedirection by suitable means such as a spring 46.

Means is also provided to advance the material from roll 16b forcarrying out a splicing operation. This means consists of a doubleacting pneumatic operator 47, as for example, one of the cylinder-pistontype, having its operating rod 48 connected to the lever 49. This leverisjournalled to the machine frame and its free end is connected to thegear rack 51. Suitable means such as springs 52 and 53 serve toyieldably urge the rack 51 upwardly. The arrangement is such that whenthe operator 47 is energized, the rack moves to the left as viewed inFIG. 1.

Each of the shafts 14 is provided with gear and overrunning oroverriding clutch means 56. Also, the rack is loosely retained by theguide means 54. Each means 56 consists of a ring gear 57, the teeth ofwhich operatively engage the teeth of the rack 51 when a roll ispositioned like the roll 16b shown in FIG. 1. The ring gear 57 isrotatably carried by the inner member 58 which in turn is secured to theassociated shaft 14. Camming recesses 59 are formed in the periphery ofmember 58 to accommodate the spring-pressed rollers 61. As is well knownto those familiar with overriding clutches, when the ring gear 57 turnsin a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, it turns freelywithout applying any torgue to the member 58 or shaft 14. However,clockwise rotation causes the rollers 61 to drive member 58, thuscausing turning torque to be applied to the shaft 14.

The purpose of the arrangement just described is to apply turning torqueto the roll 16]; when the operator 47 is energized, thus effectingturning of the shaft 14 and roller 16!) through a fraction of arevolution to advance the material 21b.

Each of the shafts 14 is also coupled to a torque friction device 62which is adjustable whereby unwinding of a roll can be resisted by apredetermined amount of torque to insure relatively constant web or filmtension.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 9 shows electrical connections forenergizing the double-acting pneumatic operators 26 and 47 under thecontrol of the contacts of the sensing device. The indicated currentsupply lines L1 and L2 can be ordinary 110 volt A.C. Supply of air underpressure to the pneumatic operator 26 is shown being controlled by thefour-way valve 66 which is solenoid operated and is connected to asource of air under pressure. Likewise, the operator 47 has pneumaticconnections with the four-way valve 67 which is likewise solenoidoperated and connected to a source of air under pressure. The blocks M1and M2 schematically represent the switches 43 and 44 and theiroperating cams 41 and 42 which are operated in accordance with thepositioning of the member 37.

The control panel 68 is shown provided with switches S1 and S2, whichmay be of the toggle type. Switch S1 as shown provided with two blades,and a common operating lever. Also the operating panel is shown providedwith lights 69, 70 and 71, which may be green, white and red,respectively. Line L1 is connected to the two blades of switch S1. LineL2 connects to one side of the winding of the solenoid valve 66, andalso to the same side of the winding of solenoid valve 67. The twoswitches 43 and 44 may be of the microswitch type, with the switchesbeing provided with operating members 73 and 74, which are moved by thecams 41 and 42 to effect switch operation. The cams 41 and 42 areschematically indicated in FIG. 9, in conjunction with the operatingmembers 73 and 74. As previously mentioned these cams are rotatedtogether with the arm 37. When the switch S1 is down to close the lowerblade upon contact 1, the winding of solenoid valve 66 is connectedacross lines L1 and L2 to engerize same. when switch S1 is moved to itsup position, whereby its upper blade closes upon both contact 2 and 3,line L1 is connected through conductor 77 with the blade of switch 44,and also with the blade of the schematically illustrated time delayswitch 78. When the operating lever of switch S2 is moved upwardly toclose the switch blade upon the contact 1, this contact makes connectionthrough conductor 79 with one side of the winding of solenoid valve 66.Also, conductor 79 connects with contact 1 of the switch 44. Contact 2of switch 44 connects to one side of the motor of the delay switch 78,and the other side of this motor connects with line L2. Contact 1 ofswitch 43 connects with the conductor 76, and the blade of switch 43 isconnected by conductor 81 with contact 1 of the time delay switch 78.The blade of this switch connects with the conductor 77. The connectionsfor the signal lights 69, 70 and 71 may be as illustrated. The light 69has one side connected to conductor 82, leading to line L2, and itsother side connected to contact 1 of switch S1. One side of light 70also connects with conductor 82, and the other side connects with theconductor 79. Light 71 has one side connected to conductor 82 and theother side connected to the contact 3 of switch S1.

As will be presently explained, the apparatus functions automaticallywhen the switch S1 is in its upper position, and the switch S2 is open.In FIG. 9 the cams 41 and 42 are shown positioned whereby the members 73and 74 are in the depressions of the cams. Previous to carrying out asplicing operation the cams 41 and 42 are positioned whereby 'the member73 and 74 are raised, thus opening contact 1 of switch 43, and closingcontact 2 of switch 44. A slight angular displacement is shown betweenthe cams 41 and 42. This is because cam 41 preferably moves to aposition to cause opening of contact 1 of switch 43, immediately beforecam 42 becomes positioned to cause switch 44 to open with respect tocontact 2, and close upon contact 1.

Assuming that one wishes to carry out a splicing operation manually, theswitch S1 is initially left in the neutral position as illustrated inFIG. 9. It is assumed that the operator has started the apparatus inoperation, with both rolls of materials 16:: and 16b upon the arms 13,and with the material unwinding from the roll 16a and passing to furtherprocessing operations over the take-off roller 22. The presser roller 23at this time is retracted. In preparation for making a splice, theoperator turns the roll 16b so that its leading end is made to hangdownwardly in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The lower margin of thematerial, which carries adhesive, is located just above the gap betweenthe rollers 22 and 23. When the roller 16:! approaches the point ofdepletion, the operator pneumatically energizes the operators 26 to urgethe presser roller 23 against the take-off roller 22, and against thematerial passing over the same. With the circuitry of FIG. 9 this iscarried out by moving the switch $1 from neutral to its down position,which energizes the solenoid operated valve 66. The operator nowendeavors to carefully observe when the material leaves the core of roll16a. As previously, mentioned before this can be done with any degree ofaccuracy it is necessary to slow down the operation of the machine. Whenthe operator observes that the material has left the core of roll 1611,he manually applies some torque to the roll 16b, whereby the dependingportion 21]) moves downwardly to cause its lower margin to be engaged bythe rollers 22 and 23, and carried through these rollers. Pressureapplied to the overlapping layers of material in this operation servesto make a proper splice.

Assuming now that the operator in carrying out the above cycle ofoperation desires to make use of the means for applying turning torqueto the roll 16]), the operator again observes the time when the materialleaves the core of the roll 16a, and then switch S2 is closed manuallyto energize the operator 47 of the rack 51, whereby this rack appliesturning torque to the roll 16b for the minor part of a revolution, thusagain causing the depending portion 211) to be moved down wardly tocomplete a splice. This type of operation may be referred to assemi-automatic.

To carry out a completely automatic cycle the operator, after theapparatus has been placed in operation with the switch S1 in its neutralposition, engages the sensing device 31 with the material 21 extendingbetween the roll 16a and the take-off of roller 22, in the mannerpreviously described and as is shown in FIG. 1. This involves placingthe sensing device in such a position upon the shaft 12 that the roller34 engages the periphcry of the roll 16a, with the sensing finger 39engaging the right hand side of the material 2111 as viewed in FIG. 1.The material at this time has sufficient tension whereby the finger 39remains in this position without any substantial deflection of thematerial 21a. After the sensing device 31 has been properly positionedin operative relationship with the roll 16:! and material 21a asjustdescribed, switch S1 is placed in its upper or automatic position. Atthis time. the cams 41 and 42 are so positioned that members 73 and 74are retained whereby contact 1 of switch 43 is open. and contact 1 ofswitch 44 is open and contact 2 is closed. Likewise at this time, thecontact 1 of the time delay switch 78 is closed. Under such conditionsneither one of the solenoid valves 66 or 67 is energized, and likewise.the rack operator 26 and the roller operator 47 are not energized. Whenthe end of the material leaves the core of roll 160, the material 210 isno longer tensioned and therefore member 37 moves relative to member 32,thus affecting turning movement of the cams 41 and 42. This is shown inFIG. 8A. The initial part of this turning movement causes operation ofswitch 43 because member 73 is permitted to drop into the depression ofcam 41, and thus this switch closes on contact 1. With the contacts ofdelay switch 78 closed, this serves to energize the solenoid valve 66,with the result that the operator 26 of the roller 23 is energized topress this roller against the take-off roller 22. Immediately afteroperating switch 43, the cam 42 reaches a position where the member 74drops into the depression of this cam, whereby contact 1 is closed. andcontact 2 opened. This causes the solenoid valve 67 to be energizedthereby energizing the rack operator 47 to affect turning movement ofthe roll 16b as previously described. The timing is necessarily suchthat before the end of the material 21 reaches the take-off roller 22,the lower end of the material from roll 16b has been moved downwardlyand caused to be engaged between rollers 22 and 23, to complete asplice.

The purpose of the delay switch 78 is to maintain the operators 26 inactuated condition for a predetermined period of time sufficient tocomplete the splice, after which operators 26 are automaticallyde-energized to retract the roller 23. As previously mentioned thecontacts of delay switch 78 are normally closed. Thus a circuit can becompleted through these contacts to the solenoid valve 66. The settingof the delay switch 78 is such that after contact 2 of switch 44 hasbeen open for a predetermined period of time, the motive element of thedelay switch 78 causes opening of contact 1. As long as these contactsremain closed the pneumatic operators 26 remain energized thus retainingthe presser roller 23 urged against the take-off roller 22. At the endof such time delay the contacts of the delay switch 78 are opened, thusde-energizing the operators 26 and retracting the presser roll 23. Thisoccurs after there has been ample time to complete the splice.

With respect to the signal lights 69, and 71, they are all extinquishedwhen the switches S1 and S2 are in their neutral or off positions shownin FIG. 9. When it is desired to make a splice manually, the green light69 is illuminated when the switch S1 is moved into its down position.When the switch S1 is moved upwardly, for full automatic operation, thered light 71 is illuminated. After the switches 43 and 44 have beenactuated to affect a splice, the red light 71 is extinquished. and thewhite light 70 is illuminated. The white light remains illuminated untilthe switch S1 has been returned to its neutral position.

In the foregoing. the switches of the sensing device 31 have beendescribed as serving to automatically initiate a splicing operation.Also, reference has been made to processing operations to which thematerial is applied as it leaves the take-off roller 22. Certain of suchprocessing operations may likewise be automatically initiated by thesensing device 31, as by additional circuitry controlled by the switches43 and 44, or by additional switches and cam means which may be employedto operate the same responsive to movements of the member 37. By way ofexample, if at the end of such a processing operation like printing. itis desired to roll up the material in predetermined lengths, the sensingdevice 31 can be used to control such operations, whereby the materialis successively cut into predetermined lengths and these lengths woundupon cores to provide rolls.

In general, it will be evident from the foregoing that the inventionprovides a relatively simple apparatus for carrying out fully automaticor semi-automatic splicing operations. It makes possible splicingoperations without manual intervention at relatively high speeds, andmakes possible continuous operation at relatively high speed, withoutslowing down movement of the material for splicing. Splices are producedin a uniform manner, with a minimum number of defective splices, andwithout wasting material.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the unwinding and splicing of rolls of material, therolls including a core about which the material is wound, the exteriorleading end margin of the material of each roll being provided withsplicing adhesive, means for supporting separate first and second rollsof the material on spaced horizontal axes, a horizontal take-off rollerover which the material is entrained as it is unwound from the firstroll, splicing means adapted to be actuated to press the end portion ofthe material from the second roll against the take-off roller and intoengagement with the material leaving the depleted first roll to form asplice, sensing means for sensing the complete unwinding of materialfrom the first roll, and means responsive to the sensing means foractuating said splicing means, said sensing means comprising a memberhaving one end thereof adapted to engage and ride upon the periphery ofthe first roll, mounting means for said member whereby said one end ofthe same may move toward or away from the core of the roll, a secondmember movably carried by the first member,'the second member having oneend of the same adapted to engage one side surface of that portion ofthe material extending from the roll to the take-off roller duringunwinding of the same, means for yieldably urging the one end of thefirst member in a direction toward the roll, means acting between thefirst and second member serving to urge the second member toward saidportion of the material extending from the roll to the take-off roller,and electrical contact means actuated by the second member responsive tomovement of the same relative to the first member caused by completeunwinding of the material from the core, and means controlled by saidcontact means for energizing the splicing means.

2. Means for sensing the complete unwinding of material from a roll ofthe same, the roll being formed of a central core with the materialbeing wrapped thereon, a member having one end thereof adapted to engageand ride upon the periphery of the roll, mounting means for said memberwhereby said one end of of the same may move toward or away from thecore of the roll, a second member movably carried by the first member,the second member having one end of the same adapted to engage one sidesurface of that portion of the material extending from the roll duringunwinding of the same, means for urging the one of the first member in adirection toward the roll, means acting between the first and secondmember serving to urge the second member toward said portion of thematerial extending from the roll, and electrical contact means ac tuatedby the second member responsive to movement of the same relative to thefirst member caused by complete unwinding of the material from the core.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said last means consists of twoelectrical switch means having contacts operated sequentially by suchmovement.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said one member is pivotally mountedfor movement of its one end toward or away from the roll being unwound,and in which said second member is pivotally mounted upon the firstmember whereby its one end is free to swing toward or away from theportion of material extending from the roll during unwinding.

1. Apparatus for the unwinding and splicing of rolls of material, the rolls including a core about which the material is wound, the exterior leading end margin of the material of each roll being provided with splicing adhesive, means for supporting separate first and second rolls of the material on spaced horizontal axes, a horizontal take-off roller over which the material is entrained as it is unwound from the first roll, splicing means adapted to be actuated to press the end portion of the material from the second roll against the take-off roller and into engagement with the material leaving the depleted first roll to form a splice, sensing means for sensing the complete unwinding of material from the first roll, and means responsive to the sensing means for actuating said splicing means, said sensing means comprising a member having one end thereof adapted to engage and ride upon the periphery of the first roll, mounting means for said member whereby said one end of the same may move toward or away from the core of the roll, a second member movably carried by the first member, the second member having one end of the same adapted to engage one side surface of that portion of the material extending from the roll tO the take-off roller during unwinding of the same, means for yieldably urging the one end of the first member in a direction toward the roll, means acting between the first and second member serving to urge the second member toward said portion of the material extending from the roll to the take-off roller, and electrical contact means actuated by the second member responsive to movement of the same relative to the first member caused by complete unwinding of the material from the core, and means controlled by said contact means for energizing the splicing means.
 2. Means for sensing the complete unwinding of material from a roll of the same, the roll being formed of a central core with the material being wrapped thereon, a member having one end thereof adapted to engage and ride upon the periphery of the roll, mounting means for said member whereby said one end of of the same may move toward or away from the core of the roll, a second member movably carried by the first member, the second member having one end of the same adapted to engage one side surface of that portion of the material extending from the roll during unwinding of the same, means for urging the one of the first member in a direction toward the roll, means acting between the first and second member serving to urge the second member toward said portion of the material extending from the roll, and electrical contact means actuated by the second member responsive to movement of the same relative to the first member caused by complete unwinding of the material from the core.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said last means consists of two electrical switch means having contacts operated sequentially by such movement.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said one member is pivotally mounted for movement of its one end toward or away from the roll being unwound, and in which said second member is pivotally mounted upon the first member whereby its one end is free to swing toward or away from the portion of material extending from the roll during unwinding. 